Students could study in Cuba

In addition to several study abroad programs offered by the study abroad Capstone International Center, students now have one more option.

The Capstone has teamed with the University of Havana in Cuba to offer a semester-long study abroad program for the first time during the spring semester.

Carmen Taylor, associate dean of arts and sciences and coordinator for the program, said though this is the first semester an official study abroad program in Havana is available, the Alabama-Cuba Initiative began in 2001, when UA faculty conducted research in Cuba.

When Cuba set restrictions requiring any foreign university that wanted to send students abroad to obtain a license, the University obtained one in 2001, because it was interested in conducting more research and having study abroad opportunities for students, Taylor said.

"We've been able to maintain our license because we've been careful to function within the license," Taylor said.

Taylor said previous trips to Cuba have been smooth because they are traveling with official paperwork.

"The Cubans have been very gracious," Taylor said. "They know we're coming, and we plan ahead of time. We've been able to avoid any incidents. The Cubans don't want any incidents either. We've been careful to follow their rules."

Taylor said the implementation of a study abroad program was a natural expansion of the Alabama-Cuba Initiative.

Taylor said students who attend will be required to take between 12 to 16 credit hours. The University of Havana will have a proficiency test students must take once arriving in Havana, she said.

Taylor said if the first semester is a success, the program will not be available in the fall but in the following spring semester of 2009.

The cost of the program, which is $8,412, includes tuition, air-fare, housing, health insurance, meals and excursions. Taylor said the excursions are still being planned.

Faculty members are still in the process of finding housing, Taylor said. She said the final housing decision will be made when she and other faculty members go to Havana for a final trip before the semester program in December.

A student of any major may attend the program, Taylor said. The requirements suggest that students have at least four semesters of college-level Spanish or some proficiency in Spanish.

Taylor said space is limited, and the University of Havana said they will accommodate about 10 students, though Taylor said the University is trying to negotiate that number to about 15.

The program will begin late January 2008 and end in May 2008. Taylor said exact dates have yet to be determined.

Amanda Montgomery, a junior majoring in advertising, said she is considering going to Havana because the culture and the architecture interest her, and she wants to visit somewhere new.

"I don't think we're going to be able to see a lot of places on this earth in their same condition much longer," Montgomery said. "I think it's going to be a really great opportunity to see a very different part of the world."

Angela Channell, director of study abroad at the Capstone International Center, said Havana is a vibrant city with a mix of 1950s architecture and Russian influences.

"The people are incredibly warm and friendly and interested in the University of Alabama and Americans," Channell said.

When it comes to study abroad programs, Channell said the University has sought out international relationships to meet students' needs, through networking and faculty and administrative contact.

"What students really need to know is we can get them abroad via an exchange program, a third party provider or through our group summer programs," Channell said.

Allie Esslinger, who graduated in May with a degree in international relations, said she went to Havana in 2003 with the Alabama in Cuba interim program.

Esslinger, who is now getting her master's degree in international affairs at The New School in New York, said the program included lectures and travel around Cuba. She also said she wasn't required to have a certain Spanish proficiency.

Esslinger, who was a member of the International Honors Program while at the University, said Havana was not the only place where she studied abroad. She also went to Costa Rica, England, China and South Africa.

Esslinger said there was no set Alabama program in South Africa at the time, but with the help of the University and Capstone International, she said she was able to find a program that worked for her.

"Even if the University doesn't offer a program to the particular place [where a student wants to study], Angela or anyone in the [Capstone International] office will sit down and find a program for you," Esslinger said.

Traveling and studying abroad is something Esslinger did because she said she learned so much in such a little amount of time.

Esslinger said she wasn't nervous before traveling to Cuba because she was able to attend meetings before going, where she met faculty and other students who were interested in traveling there too.

"Just going into the [Capstone International] office and seeing how it runs instills a lot of confidence into people going on a trip," Esslinger said.

The deadline for the program is today, but students who are interested in the program should contact Taylor as soon as possible at ctaylor@as.ua.edu for an extension on the deadline. Taylor said applications will be mailed to students who are interested.